Career:After reading biochemistry at University College London, I worked at Imperial College as a research assistant for nine years. I trained for the priesthood at St. John’s College, Nottingham, and have worked in parishes in Northolt and Hayes, before spending nine years in Airedale West Yorkshire, prior to returning to London.
Family:I am married with two children, both of whom have attended SMSP, and now attend Bishop Wand (C of E) School.
Why you chose to be a Governor:As parish priest of Ss. Peter and Paul, I am an ex-officio governor. I have previously served as a governor in Church Schools in Hayes and more recently as Foundation Parent Governor in Pontefract for over six years.
Committees serving on and why chosen: Inaddition to duties as Chair of Governors, I currently chair the Steering Group and Admissions Committee and am a member of the Finance and Resources Committee. As incumbent, I am involved in the admissions process year by year, and the finance and resources committee gives an important over view in my role as chair of governors. I also have governor responsibilities for Safeguarding and Looked after Children.
How you feel you support the school as a governor:I am in school regularly to take clergy assemblies and to provide support and encouragement to staff and pupils.
Rev. Joe Moffatt Vice Chair of Governors
Personal Statement: my job would be a lot less interesting without my involvement with the school. I genuinely look forward to every visit, every assembly and every encounter with a teacher or pupil. Even governor meetings can be quite enjoyable!
Career: Vicar in the Church of England. Curate in Wolverhampton 1999-2003, Associate Vicar in Chelsea 2003-2009, Vicar of St Mary with St Alban Teddington since 2009.
Family: I’m married to Jo who is a Civil Engineer and works for Atkins, managing a team of engineers who design off-shore platforms for the oil and gas industry. We have two children, Evie (born 2002 and currently in year 5) and Daniel (born 2004 and currently in year 3) both of whom attend SMSP.
Why you chose to be a Governor: it’s an ex officio post that comes with the job!
Committees serving on and why chosen: Pupils, Parents and Community (which has most overlap with my ministry)
Cllr Stephen Knight Foundation Governor
Stephen was chair of governors between 2002 and 2012.
Stephen has been an elected councillor for Teddington Ward since 1998, and is currently leader of the opposition on Richmond Council. He was deputy leader of the Council between 2006 and 2010 and cabinet member for education in the borough in 2001-2.
Since May 2012 he has been an elected member of the London Assembly and speaks for the Lib Dems on economic, environmental and health issues affecting the Capital. He also serves on the London Fire authority.
Nationally, Stephen is Vice Chair of the Local Government Association's Workforce Board and also Vice Chair of the National Employers Organisation for School Teachers.
Stephen is a physics graduate from Southampton University, where he was also President of the Students' Union. He lives with his partner Jennifer and their young daughter, born in 2010, in Teddington. He also has a grown-up step-daughter, Carmen, from his previous marriage.
Anthea Bryan Foundation Governor
Career: French B.A. (Hons) PGCE
Teacher of French in secondary schools.
1974 – 2003 in Winchester, Hamilton, Richmond Borough
Career Break Whilst Raising a Family (1976 – 1987)
Family: Husband – Dr Jeremy Bryan
Daughter: Holly, Born 1976
2 Sons: Matthew and David, born 1974 & 1983
Why you chose to be a Governor:
I have a lifelong interest in Education and as a retired teacher I am keen to contribute to the lives of children. As a member of St. Mary’s Church I wanted to be a part of the link between church and school.
Committees serving on and why chosen:
Achievement: The academic progress of children is important to me and I am interested in taking part in discussing progress at St. Mary’s.
Finance and Resources: I am particularly interested in staffing and the use of resources.
How you feel you support the school as a governor:
In the twelve months since my appointment as a governor, I have supported the pupils by attending assemblies, a tea party, conducted visitors on visits to the new extension and attended meetings. I look forward to developing my involvement with the school.
John Dewhurst Foundation Governor
Career: A primary school teacher by qualification and training became Head Teacher of a school in Chiswick then principal lecturer in education and director of post graduate teacher training at St. Mary’s University College. Moved on to Wandsworth borough council as primary inspector and then to Hillingdon as senior inspector for primary and early years. Also worked as an Ofsted school inspector and an accredited school improvement partner. Currently self-employed as a part-time school leadership consultant.
Family: Married to a classically-trained professional singer. We have lived in Teddington, just ten minute’s walk away from the school, for over 20 years.
Why you chose of be a Governor: To put back some of a career’s experience of primary education into the school system. As a lifelong member of the CofE (currently churchwarden of Kingston Parish Church), I am particularly interested in church schools. I am returning to the SMSP governing body after a gap of four years.
Committees serving on and why chosen:
The achievement committee, as this is my main area of professional experience and expertise. Also the Arts governor; I have a particular interest in music.
How you feel you support the school as a governor:
I can offer an extensive knowledge of primary education, particularly of school self-evaluation and the Ofsted inspection process. I have considerable experience of working with governing bodies to help increase their effectiveness.
Dr Chris French Foundation Governor
Career:
After spending seven years studying and teaching at Exeter university, I joined Kingston Polytechnic (now university) in 1972 as a lecturer in economic and social history and retired in 2007 having been the founding director of the university’s centre for local history studies the for the previous ten years. This involved leading research projects based on digitised historical records in medical history and in the history of local communities; post graduate supervision; and directing the university’s MA in Local History. On retirement I have also reached the position of Reader in History. Research has been a major part of my career and I have published a number of journal articles covering, for example, the history of London’s maritime activity, social conditions in Kingston before 1914, and the growth of suburbia. I am still attached to the university in an honorary capacity and I am still active as a local historian, talking regularly to local groups and societies on community history and how communities develop over time.
Family:
I have lived with my partner Monica for 32 years. We do now have children but we enjoy socialising with family and friends. My main leisure activities include walking, reading, listening to music, watching cricket and rugby (I used to play both) and visiting historic pubs.
Why you chose to be a Governor:
Initially I was approached by Fr Jack to see if I would consider becoming one of SS Peter and Paul’s foundation governors. I had always intended to become more involved with the local community once I retired (I also work as a volunteer at Teddington Memorial Hospital) and given my career background in education I thought that being a school governor would be an excellent way to achieve this. I was particularly interested in seeing at first hand and contributing to a sector of education unfamiliar to me. After much consideration I agreed to become a governor and I am very pleased that I did.
Committees Serving on and why chosen:
Steering Group - As chair of the Achievement Committee
Achievement Committee (Chair) – I am particularly keen on seeing what makes the school tick and on being involved with the important questions of curriculum development and the variety of approaches to teaching and learning. The achievement committee is concerned with questions such as these and also provides an opportunity for governor committee members to meet and talk to staff with special responsibilities.
How you feel you support the school as a governor:
Beyond the normal support provided via the Governors’ meetings, I feel it is important for governors to be seen as an active part of the school community and to take advantage of opportunities to visit the school and see how the school really operates.(you can only learn so much in meetings). I have attended school assemblies and school concerts and will continue to do so. I have participated in two ‘governors’ walks’ observing classes in ICT and Numeracy and in the humanities, providing written feedback (very positive) after each visit. As a result of my academic background in local history, I have accompanied one class to the Richmond Local Studies Centre and I have been happy to provide advice and examples of historical records to members of the staff when preparing sessions on the history of Teddington. I am currently working on a history of SMSP to help mark the move to the new buildings – the next phase in the school’s lengthy history.
Gareth Dutton Teacher Governor
Personal Statement: Helping children to achieve more.
Career:I have taught in several Primary schools across different Local Authorities. I have been a class teacher for over a decade before joining SMSP in April 2012.
Family:I am married and have two young children.
Why you chose to be a Governor: I enjoy being involved at every level of school management and contributing to the future direction and priorities of the school.
Committees serving on and why chosen:Currently, I am serving on the Achievement Committee. As Assessment Co-ordinator for the school, I am able to provide reports on school development.
How you feel you support the school as a governor: I support the school through promoting and enabling high standards of educational achievement.
Julian Gravatt Parent Governor
Career: In my day job I work for the Association of Colleges as Assistant Chief Executive.
Family:I was born in Cambridge, have lived in London for 30 years and have two children in the school in years 3 and 5. I am married to Jacqueline Williamson.
Why you chose to be a Governor: I was elected by the parents in autumn and want to help SMSP to be as good as it can be.
Jenny Richards Support Staff Goverorn
Career:After completing a degree in English Literature, I worked in retail management for Laura Ashley. I began working as a teaching assistant at SMSP 10 years ago and have worked across the school.
Family:I am married and have two children who both attended SMSP. My daughter is now at RUTC and my son is at Teddington School beginning his GCSEs.
Why you chose to be a Governor:Having had children in the school, being proud of the place I work and wanting the best for the school and its future, I was keen to be involved in the governing body.
How you feel you support the school as a Governor: My experience of life at SMSP will help me in making decisions about the education and welfare of the children, and the future of the school.
Anna Harrison
Foundation Governor
Personal Statement: my number one passion is reading and both my careers in teaching and publishing have had books at the heart of them. Reading is the single most important factor in a pupil’s achievement journey. I hope that my enthusiasm for reading, a love of teaching, and the experience of being a parent will all contribute to helping the school build on its outstanding record.
Career: Bristol University, Philosophy Graduate
PGCE at Homerton College, Cambridge
Primary School Teacher (11 years)
Publishing Editor for Dorling Kindersley
Children’s Books (8 years)
Currently teaching at The Queen’s School, Kew.
Family: I’m married to James (met whilst Scottish Reeling!) and we have three children Max (born 2007 and currently in year 1) and Freddie and Clara (born 2009 and currently at Playwam Nursery).
Why you chose to be a Governor: Joe asked and I said ‘yes’! I am hugely interested in education and I am very happy to support the school as a parent and local church member.
Committees serving on and why chosen: Pupils, Parents and Community…my background will help in contributing to this the most at the moment.
